Washing machine



Aug. 27, 1929. w. K. voss 1,725,891,

Y WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet '1 FE? Jeri- 2971" Aug. 27, 1929,.

w. K. vos s WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19., 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug 2 7, 1929. w v ss 1,725,891

WASHING MACHINE is closed, the operating mechanism will be in TES Patented Aug. 27, 192 9.

UNITED STA WALTER K. VOSS, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

WASHING MACHINE.

The present invention operating means is associated with or carried by a movable cover 'portion'or section of a cover top of the tub, such that when-the cover operative condition-and when in open posi tion, the driving connection will be broken or the like. In a specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, this is efi'ected by the cleaving of a pair of gears of which one is a driver and mounted upon a shaft at the side of the tub and the other is a driven element rotatably carried by the cover, so that when the cover is opened, the latter gear is disconnected from the former by the sliding "of the teeth thereof, and likewise when the cover is closed, to establish the enmeshment of such teeth. housed in a housing rigidly secured to the tub, as at one side thereof, and theoperating means is preferably located belowthe cover top. This latter is also an object of the in vention, and also may include the idea of a housing therefor connected to the underside of such cover. The cover is preferably a. raised cover rcstingupon the rim of the tub and including a space within such cover and above the rim of the tub, for the inclusion of the operating mechanism for the agitator or dolly which may be bot-h rotatably and slid; ably carried by the cover. In this way the top of the cover may be plain, fiat and smooth without projections, bulges and the like.

he invention also comprehends the provision of a novel cover or top for the tub, which may be of raised type or form as above indicated, and having a movable portion or swinging section, and a fixed portion or section secured to the tub. The two sections or portions are preferably cut concentric to the axis of the hinge thereof, such that the top may swing about the axis of the hinge with a part dipping below the top and the top resting laterally against the fixed section when the cover is in open position. It also includes means for pivotally or hingedly supporting the movable section, preferably with the hinge below the cover topand in advance of the parting therebetweem'so as to leave The driver is preferably.-

Application filed January 19, 1927. Serial-No. 162,015.

the top flat and smooth without'projecting portions of the-hinge shown at or above the top of the cover .When the cover is closed.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities and features are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and are sessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in vertical elevation of a washing machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same showing the cover in open position.

Fig. 3 is a part top plan view and part horizontal section of the machine showing the coverin closed position in the device in op erative condition.

Fig. lis a vertical sectional view taken in planes represented by" line H in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view 0? of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a part of the tub of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical elevational view of a driving part ofthe operating mech amsm. y 1

Referring nowmore in detail to the drawings, an, illustrative embodiment of a washing machine embodying the invention is-shown as comprising a tub 1 mounted upon a su'pport'2 carrying casters 3 whereby. the machine may be moved about readily over a surface. Within the support 2 is carried, in any suitable manner, power operating mechanism a driving portion art plan and part i adapted to'drive through a vertical'shaft 4 rotatable in a. housing 5 suitably mounted upon the support. The shaft l has driving 9 connections throu h reversin earin for a g g g wringer 6 which is capable of swinging about a, vertical axis in any desired position, v

portion 11. These cover portions ha'vever- I tical side walls 12 terminating in horizontal flanges 13 secured to the tub rim @diit nd ing upwardly the top portion 14 ofthe -fixed cover portion and the top -of -the covenportion 1 1 It will be observed that the top -is-cut ona curved, bias or in an are forming a. parting. between the fixed and movable sections; order that the mov- .abletopmayibehinged to swing so that it will not-interfere with' the fiiredseetion' at the artin 15 hin e' mechanism com"risi'n 7 C! h members 16'are secured tothe side-and top alls 12' and 14 of the fixed section by} means of screws, bolts or the like 1 7xand 1 7,

and carry curved or'b'ent arms 18 having at connected-tdh'inge parts in plates 18 seaxis of the hinge member is located in ad Vance ofjthe parting 15 so that the rearedge portion ofthe topll ma dip, and when the cover is swungjbac'k, th-

, front of the hinge axis may contact or abut against. the front edge of the fixed section ating mechanism adapted to operate a deny or agitator 20in the tub. This dolly may 14, as shown by dotted lines in-Fig. 4. When the movable part: 11 is closed, the edges at the parting 15 will] come into contact or -coincidence as also shown in full lines in Fig. 4. The cover,'.as a whole, is raised to form'a' hollow space beneath it and-:above-the rim of theltu'b for the carrying of suitable operbe of the type. that is capable of floating or 1' being darrie'd at the level of the contents of "the'tub and is preferably connected ma noncircular shaft 21 .slidably. mounted ginrapinionmember '22 rotatably"carried in bearings 23 in the cover-11 and 24 in a housing 25 depending from the bottom surface-of vthe cover 11 and secured thereto by suitable "securing meansf'such as'bolts or thelike' 26.; The shaft 21 is capableof sliding vertically so'that the dolly may float or reston the contents of the tub andyet be cause -to rotate or have-an alternating rotary movement with .the pinion .22. j The housing 25. en-

:closes a .space within which a part of the operating mechanism is enclosed. The op,-

. era tingmechanism comprises a reciprocating'rack 27 adapted to engage vvith the teeth of the pinion, and connected at'its other end Y pivotally to ;.a driven g'e'ar 28 rotatably mounted upon a stud bearing 29 having 'a stud 30 secured -to adepressedportion 31 of-the-housing 25, as clearly-shown'inFigs.

3 and4 of the drawings.,' In order to hold 1 the rack constantly in mesh-engagement'wi'th thefpinion 22, there may be provided .a

the casing or-housin'g 25, the rack being slidable between-the flanges of'theroller'and being held by the body; of the (roller. in proper engagement with the pinion 22. The c ver 11 e top portionin through which may extend a portion of the gear- 28 beyond the periphery of the cover and tub for engagement therewith of a -driv-' inggear 36 secured to the upper'end of the shaft 4 as'by a cross-pin 87 or the like. The

upper end of the housing 5 is also provided with a housing 38 for enclosing thegear 36 and other parts, this housing being secured to the upper end of the housing 5 as by bolts or the like 39, and also may be fastened'by;

way of integral portions41' to the rim 9. of the tub. In this Way the structure may be made rigid with the tub. The housing 38 also has a cover 42 which may be connected to the housing portion--38 as byway of lugs to the portion 4lof the housing 3.8.

This cover is preferably provided with a'cut- 1 out portion 44 of'arcshapeor the like, for exposing a' part of the teeth of the gear 36 as Well as the teeth of the gear 28. The top of the cover 11. is also provided With'a cutout'4'5 for the 'samepu-rpose. By providing these-cut-out portions," the operator can see the relative" position of the teeth'when the cleaving thereof is eifectedas' Well as per- "mitting the movement of the-cover ll with the gear. 28 when opening or closing the 'cover and moving the gear 28 from or into sliding engagement With the-teethof the gear 38. In order. top rote'ctand cover the same, the'cover 42 may have a sliding cover-- ingmember 46 capable of sliding in an are -.path on the-cover 42 to a position such 'as' tliat, l'lQWD in Fig.' 3. of-the drawing, the

same eing guided inits movementb guide "elements 47 engaging with the 'perip ery of the cov'er 42, and a pin 48 capableof sliding in a 'slot'49 of are shape in the cover 42.

It will be noted that thecover member 46 'hasan arc-shaped cut-out portion 50 such-that when the cover i s mo ved-to p,resentthis cutou't portion opposite the gear teeth,'-it will .permit thecleaving-ofth'e. gears without f interference, and whn'moved in the posi- *tionshown in Fig.3, theeover 46 will cover' the gear teeth 'and extend into the-eut-out ortion.45 of the cover'll. The cover men-1 er 46 may be provided with a projection 51 for the manual;engage mentlthereof for moving the' cover in a direction and toja pos'ition whereby the cut-out portion 50 may be" presented over the gear teeth The return ofthe cover 46 is automatically effected by means of a spring 52.- c'onnected atone end to the pin 48 and at the other end to'a fixed part of the cover 42, the spring surrounding thegears are operatin there isa tendency .to lateral movement-o the driven.

v a depending-sleeve portion 52' of thecover flanged roller or the like 32 rotatably-mount 42 1 'ed-ona stud -33 secured'to the lower wall of 125 I mechanism-and the connected parts, such; as the cover- 11.- In order. to avoid this, the I rim of the tub is provided with abutment is provided with an opening- 34 lugs 53' and" 54 located at ,the side of the vscrews,bolts or the like 43, and by way .of a

opening 34 of the cover and adapted to be where it-may expose the cut-out portions engaged with abutment lugs 55 and 56 carried by the coverll so that when the latter is in closed position, the lugs 55 and 56 will fit closely against the lugs '53 and 54 and therefore prevent any lateral .movement to the cover and the parts carried thereby. This will take the load of lateral-thrust off of the-hinges of the cover. Theupper .end of the shaft 4 is connected, as above stated, to the gear 36, the latter having a depressed Web portion' 5 7 and a'central hubportion 58. The upper end of this hub por- I tion is slotted to form 'a clutch connection with a cross-pin 59 in a wringer shaft 60,

the latter acting as a drivin element for the reverse gearing for the wringer. The gear housing 7 of the wringer has" a depending socket 61 adapted to.sli'de andfit into and be also rotatable within .a sleeve or hub-portion 62 forming an integral part of the housing top or cover 42 and the sleeve portion 5-2, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. The wringer with the housing 7 and sleeve '61 may be bodily removed or. inserted in place together with the shaft 60, the latter automechanism operates the shaft 4 through-the,

gear 36. Assuming thatthe contents of the tub have been included therein and the cover,

brought into closed position, whereby the operator has operated the cover member 46 to expose the gear teeth, the teeth of the gear 28 will be brought into sliding engagement with the teeth of thegear 36 so that theywill mesh, as the cover is brought into lowered position. As the cover 11 is brought. into lowered position, its lugs-55 and 56 will fit closely in between the lugs 53 and 54 so that the cover will be properly centered as well as be prevented from moving laterally when the power is operating through the operating mechanism. The gear 36 will thus drive or rotate the gear 28 which in turn will operate through the reciprocating rack 27. the latter acting to rotate the pinion 22 with an alternate rotary movement and hence likewise through the shaft 21 and the dolly 20. The upper end of theshaft 21 may be providedwith a knob 66 whereby the dolly may be manually raased if desired.

.At the same time the shaft 4 may operate through the clutch 63 and 59 and shaft 60 to the wringer rolls, Also-the wringer may be swing to any desired position over the tub.

After' the washing operation, the operator may slide the cover member 46 to the point space swept by from one position to another .on one side or over the gear teeth and the operator may then raise the cover 11 so as to slidably disengage the gear 28 from the teeth of the gear 36. This will disconnect the driving connection to the operatingmechanisi'n for the dolly. The cover may then be swung up into upright position as shown in dotted line in Fig. :4, until the connecting brackets 18 of the cover hinge contact with the edge 67'of the fixed cover-portion 1,0 of the top.

thecover then remaining in upright position; It'willbe noted from Fig. 2 that thiscover with the attached operating mach anism and doll-y-willbe to one side of the the wringer when swung the other side of the tub as shown by the dottedline 68 in Fig. 2 of the drawing showingth'e maximum sweep Bf the end of the wringer. The cover is preferably hinged on 'an'axis parallel to one endof the support 2 andthe operating meehanisin'in the latter operates through a shaft 4 preferably located at a corner or near a corner of the sup port- This provides for the wringer swinging about an. axis whereby the wringer may operate at one side ofthe tub, at one side of the support, or at anotherside of the tub and at an end of a support where a tub or basket maybe readily carried by the supporting bracketS.

While I have herein described and upon thedrawings shown a particular illustrative embodlment of the invention, it is to be understood that the latter is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, ar-

rangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit thereof. Having thus disclosed-the invention,

I claim:'

1..In a washing machine comprising a tub, a cover for the tub and carrying means for operating an agitator in the tub, driving means adjacent the tub and coverand associated with the operating means to drive the same when the cover 1s in closed position,

and means on the tub and associated withthe cover to laterally brace said cover.

2. In a washing machine comprising a tub, a cover forthe tub and carrying means for operatingan agitator in the tub, drivng means adjacent the tub and cover and associated with the operating means to drive .the same'whe'n the cover is in closed position, and a projection on said tub to cooperate with said cover to prevent lateral tnovement of'the cdver when in closed posi- Ion. 1 Y

3. In a washing machinecomprising a tub, a cover for the tub and carrying means for operating an agitator in, the tub, driving means adjacent the tub and cover and associated with the operating means to drive the same when the cover is in closed posi- 4- 1,725,891 u tion, and lugs on the tub and engaging her and the operating means wherebythe said cover to prevent lateral -movement cover may besmoved to and fromcl'osed pt-hereof. v 1 sition, and cover means fornornially clos- 4. In a washing machine" comprising a',ingsaid --cut -away' portions and adapted to tub, a cover .for' the tub and carrying means 'expose the" same when-the cover is moved 70 for operating an agitator in thetub, drivto or" from closed-position.

ing means adjacent the tub and'cover and 9. In a' washing machine comprising a Y 1 associated. with the operating means-to drive tub, a-cover for the tub, operating -means the same when th'e'coveris in closed position, associated with the cover for operating an the adjacent portion of vsaid cover havin agitatorinthetub, drivingmeans associated 75 shoulders, and lugs on said tublocated to" with thetfiband having-adrivingmember engage saidshoulders when the cover is"-located to operate said operating means closed to laterally brace the cover. a when. the cover is in-closed position and to 5. In a washing'machin'e comprising a' be; out ofoperating relation whenthe tub, a cover for the tub and'carrying means; coveris. inyopen position, housings for said 80] i for operating an agitator in the tub, driv-, driving member, and said operating meansin'g means adjacent the tub and coverand and'havlng -cut'-awayportions at the locus associa with theoperating means to .drive ofoperative connection between said driving the same when the-cover is in dlosed position, member and the operating means whereby said operating means'being disengagedfrom the cover maybe moved to and from closed. 85

the driving means when the cover is opened, position, and a sliding 'memben on the'house and means for covering the engaging poring for. said driving member for normally tions of'said driving and operating means covering said cut-away portions. when the cover is in closed position. 10. In a washing machine comprising a" 6. a w sb-ing, machine comprising a tub, a cover-for the tub, operating means as- '90 tub, a cover for? the tub, operating means sociated with -the cover for operatingan agiassociated with the cover for operating-an tator. in the tub-driving means. associated agitator in the tub, driving means associated with the-tub and having a driving member. withthetub and having a driving member located to operate said operating meanswhen located to "operate said operating means the cover'is in clos ed. position and to be out 95 when-the cover is in closed: position and to ofoperating relation whenthe cover is in,

out of operating relation when'the cover open position, housings for said drivin i s inopen position, and movable means for member and said operating means and havcovering the engaging portionsof said drivin-g cut-away portions at the locus of opera {mg means and said operating means when tive connection between said driving mem-.

inoperative connection, and adapted to be her and the'operatingmeans' whereby the moved -to clear the samevwhen the cover is cover maybe moved to and from closed po-- popened. i sition, a sliding member: on the housing for 7. In a washing machinemomprising a said driving member for normally covering 40' tub, a cover for thetub, opera-ting means assaid cut-away portions, and a spring in said 105 sociatedwith the cover for operating an housing and connected to said sliding mem agitator in the tub, driving means associated her to return the same to normalposition.

" with the tub and having a driving member 11. In a washing machine comprising-alocated to operate said operating means tub, a cover for the tub, means carried by when the cover is inclosed position and to the cover for ope'ratively holding an agitator 110 beont. of operatlng relation when the cover, in the-jtuln reciprocatory' operatin means is in open position, 'housings' for sa d; (lIlVe carried bylthej cover 'andbeneath t e' same 4 mg member and said operating means and, whereby the top ofthe cover 'is smooth, and

having out-away portions at; thelocus of means associatedwith the tub and said op-' -.member and the operating meansywherebyi l2. Inla tlwashing machine comprising a tithe cover maybe Inovedtoand from closed'j .tub having. fa rim, a cover therefor having a position. 3.1; fiat topand'adepending rim,portion'having 8. In a washing machine comprising a me'ans for :engagementwith the rim of the operative connection between said driving erating means for operating the latter. 1 15 tub,'a cover for the tub, operatmg means astub, a housing connected to the underside of .120

sociated with' the cover for operating an the top and providinga space therebetwe'en, agitatorm the tub, driving means associated and means-in said spaceforproducing awith the tub and having a driving member reciprocatory oVement-"and adapted to op-' located to operate said operating meansiwhen erate an agitatorlin the tub.

so the cover is'in closed position and to'be out 13. In a washing machine comprising a 1-25 jof operating relation whenthe' cover is in tub havinga rim, a raised cover on said rim open position, housings .for' said driving and providing a space beneath-the cover and member and said operating means and hav-- above said rim, an agitator operatively carmg cut-awayw portions at the locus of opera-. ried by said cover'to operate-in said tub,

a5 .ive connection between -sai d. driving memand means Io'ca'ted'in said'space for p'roduc o ing. a reciprocatory movement and connected to said agitator. Y

,14. In a washing nachinel comprising a tub having a rim, a raised cover. on said rim and providing a space beneath the. cover and above said rim, an agitator operatively carried by said cover to operate In said tub, 7. means locatedin saidspace for producing a reciprocatory movement and connected to said agitator, and a housing secured to the underside of said top and enclosing said reciprocating'means.

15. A washing machine Comprising a support, a'tub on the support,operating-means carried by-the support and having a driving .o member associated with the tub, and aliensingfo1 -said member and being rigidly secured to said tub, an agitator in the tub,.

for said member and being rigidly secured to said tub, an'agitator in the'tub, driven means operated by said member and carried by the tub, said housing having a cut-away portion to expose the engaging portions of 'said. member'and operating means, and a movable cover for saldcut-awayportion.

17.1 A Washing machine comprising .a support, a tub o'n the-support, operating means.

earned by the support and having a vertical shaft'atthe side of the tub, a gear secured to the upper end of. said shaft, 9. cover for ,the tub, an agitator carried by the cover and operable in the tub, means carried bythe cover'for producing a reoiprocatory movement, said means driven by said gear, and a housing'secured to the underslde of said "cover and for enclosing said reciprocating means, j v

18, 'A washing machine comprlsinga support, a tubon the support, operating means -carried by the support'and having a verti-' cal shaft atxthe' side of the'tub, a gear sea cured to tlreupper end of said shaft, a cover .for'the tub, an agitator carried by the cover movement, said means driven said gear, -a'h0uS1l1g for said shaft and gearand rigidly secured to said tub, and ahous ngsecured to the ,underside' of said cover and for enclosing said reciprocating means. ln-wltness whereof, .I hereunto my name to this specification.

WAL ERKI voss.

subscribe and operable in the tub, means -carried by I {the cover for producing a reciprocatory 

